Within psychology and talk therapy, the body and even emotion, has tended to be sidelined with a focus on the thinking mind, in line with current cultural values. However, this can result in the shoring up of old, previously necessary, but ultimately limiting, avoidance mechanisms, so that authentic change does not occur, when used exclusively.

It can also lead to ‘stuckness’ in therapy and burn out in professionals who experience the limits of the traditional paradigm, when faced with clients who may have addressed a symptom, and come to ‘understand’ why they feel and behave the ways they do, but still can’t seem to change how they feel, and find themselves in repeating patterns of behaviour and familiar challenges in relationship.

Developments within the field of trauma therapy and research have begun to place, front and centre, the body, including our nervous system and our emotions, both as a container of trauma, and as a means to heal and re-connect with our ‘true selves’, our truth, our values and our uniqueness.

Through the integration of somatic approaches in psychological therapy, and learning to listen to the language of the body, deeper and more profound healing and growth can occur within our clients and ourselves.